Medicenna to Provide Clinical Update on the MDNA11 ABILITY-1 Trial at the Upcoming American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting

Additional data from the MDNA11 ABILITY-1 trial to be presented at the Annual Meeting

Pre-clinical data on Medicenna’s first-in-class Masked and Tumor Targeted Bifunctional anti-PD1-IL2 Superkine, MDNA113, will also be presented

TORONTO and HOUSTON, March 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Medicenna Therapeutics Corp. (“Medicenna” or the “Company”) (TSX: MDNA, OTCQX: MDNAF), a clinical-stage immunotherapy company focused on the development of Superkines targeting cancer and autoimmune diseases, announced today that two posters will be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025 (AACR 2025) taking place April 25-30, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

The Company will present an update from its Phase 1/2 ABILITY-1 Study evaluating MDNA11, the only long-acting, ‘beta-enhanced not-alpha’ interleukin-2 (IL-2) super-agonist in clinical development. In addition, pre-clinical data for MDNA113, a novel first-in-class tumor-targeted and tumor-activated bi-functional anti-PD1-IL2 Superkine, will also be presented at the conference.

Details for the abstracts and poster presentations are as follows:

Title: Interim results from the phase 1/2 ABILITY-1 study of a long-acting ‘beta-enhanced not-alpha’ IL-2 superkine in patients with advanced solid tumors

Session Title: Phase 0 and Phase I Clinical Trials

Session Date and Time: Monday, April 28, 2025; 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: Poster Section 49

Poster Board Number: 26

Abstract Number: CT047

Title: MDNA113: A tumor targeting and conditionally activated anti-PD1-IL2^SK to enhance the therapeutic index

Session Title: T Cell Engagers and Novel Antibody-Based Therapies

Session Date and Time: Wednesday, April 30, 2025; 9:00 AM -12:00 PM

Location: Poster Section 40

Poster Board Number: 16

Abstract Number: 7330

Following the conclusion of the AACR 2025 Meeting, a copy of the posters will be available on the “” page of Medicenna’s website.

About Medicenna Therapeutics

Medicenna is a clinical-stage immunotherapy company focused on developing novel, highly selective versions of IL-2, IL-4 and IL-13 Superkines and first-in-class Empowered Superkines. Medicenna’s long-acting IL-2 Superkine, MDNA11, is a next-generation IL-2 with superior affinity toward CD122 (IL-2 receptor beta) and no CD25 (IL-2 receptor alpha) binding, thereby preferentially stimulating cancer-killing effector T cells and NK cells. Medicenna’s IL-4 Empowered Superkine, bizaxofusp (formerly MDNA55), has been studied in 5 clinical trials enrolling over 130 patients, including a Phase 2b trial for recurrent GBM, the most common and uniformly fatal form of brain cancer. Bizaxofusp has obtained FastTrack and Orphan Drug status from the FDA and FDA/EMA, respectively. Medicenna’s early-stage high-affinity IL-2β biased IL-2/IL-15 Super-antagonists, from its MDNA209 platform, are being evaluated as potential therapies for autoimmune and graft-versus host diseases. Medicenna’s early-stage BiSKITs™ (Bifunctional SuperKine ImmunoTherapies) and the T-MASK™ (Targeted Metalloprotease Activated SuperKine) programs are designed to enhance the ability of Superkines to treat immunologically “cold” tumors.

For more information, please visit , and follow us on  and .

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, express or implied statements regarding the future operations of the Company, estimates, plans, strategic ambitions, partnership activities and opportunities, objectives, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance, outlook or other statements that are not historical facts, such as statements on the therapeutic potential and safety profile of MDNA11 and MDNA113. Drug development and commercialization involve a high degree of risk, and only a small number of research and development programs result in commercialization of a product. Results in early-stage pre-clinical or clinical studies may not be indicative of full results or results from later stage or larger scale clinical studies and do not ensure regulatory approval. You should not place undue reliance on these statements, or the scientific data presented.

Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as “will”, “may”, “should”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “believe”, “seek”, “potentially” and similar expressions, and are subject to risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include the risks detailed in the latest annual information form of the Company and in other filings made by the Company with the applicable securities regulators from time to time in Canada.

The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and except as required by law, we do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements.

This news release contains hyperlinks to information that is not deemed to be incorporated by reference in this new release.

Investor/Media Contact:

Christina Cameron

Investor Relations, Medicenna Therapeutics

(647) 953-0673